Prenetics Ltd. is working with Oxford University researchers again to develop molecular diagnostic testing for the new COVID-19 variants, six months after it acquired Oxsed Ltd., a University of Oxford University spinoff to enable rapid airport testing. On April 19, Hong Kong-based Prenetics inked a multimillion-dollar partnership with the University of Oxford and Oxford Suzhou Center for Advanced Research (OSCAR) to upgrade the molecular testing technology Oxlamp for infectious diseases.
HONG KONG – Laboring under the burden of a new wave of COVID-19 infections that have raised its case total to 15.3 million, second only to the U.S., India is ramping up its vaccination efforts by opening up COVID-19 vaccine availability to citizens 18 years or older from May 1, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. However, ensuring a steady vaccine supply for the world's second most populous country, with nearly 1.4 billion people, might prove to be an issue. So far, India has administered just over 124 million COVID-19 vaccine doses.
The latest global regulatory news, changes and updates affecting medical devices and technologies, including: FDA provides path for diagnostic testing using pooled samples; FDA inks warnings for pandemic testing; Recall issued for repaired infusion pumps; NICE launches transformative strategy; NICE launches transformative strategy; Russia expands access to certain pediatric treatments.
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Avacta, Co-Diagnostics, Limacorporate, Medtronic, Phagenesis, Renalytix AI, Vivasure Medical.
DUBLIN – In keeping with the record-breaking year for biotech fundraising across the globe, the Swiss biotech sector also scaled new heights in 2020, with aggregate investment of CHF3.4 billion (US$3.7 billion), according to the newly published Swiss Biotech Report 2021. It represents almost a threefold increase on the CHF1.2 billion total it logged in 2019.
PERTH, Australia – Implicit Bioscience Ltd.’s lead candidate, IC-14, is the first anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody (MAb) to progress to the clinic as it enters a phase II trial in the U.S. in COVID-19 patients.
LONDON – The EMA’s safety committee has concluded that unusual blood clots with low blood platelets are a rare side effect of Johnson & Johnson Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine and that a warning should be added to the label. The decision is based on all available evidence, which currently consists of eight reports from the U.S. of serious cases of thrombosis, one of which was fatal. All cases were in people under 60 years of age, and within three weeks after vaccination, the majority in women. One case occurred during the clinical trials.
Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Argenx, Bluebird, Can-Fite, Cannabics, D&D, Elektrofi, Gain, Gamut, Hoth, Immunomic, Lamassu, Lineage, Oncotelic, Resverlogix, Seqirus, Sparingvision, Zentalis.
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: 180 Life Sciences, Alnylam, Bioarctic, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Incyte, Ionis, Janssen, Jazz, Leading, Medincell, Morphosys, Ripple, Siteone, Sorrento, Steba, Syndax, T3D.
The latest global regulatory news, changes and updates affecting biopharma, including: Enhertu gets first nod in Europe; At-home COVID-19 remedies sought; Fed Circuit: Appeal based on misreading of court’s decision; Russia expands access to certain pediatric treatments.